9_The Gospel of Matthew for Readers

The Gospel of Matthew for Readers

Editor's Preface

What is God's will for us? The answer can be found in the pages of the

Gospel of Matthew, a rich source of information detailing the Son of

God's instructions from Our Father to us. Here we learn, through Jesus'

teachings and actions, what we must keep of the old. We find what must

be replaced. We see what has been fulfilled and has come full circle.

We discover the new material and the new message. The Gospel of Matthew

holds out the keys to "this generation's" entry into the kingdom of

heaven ... if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.

This edition of the Gospel of Matthew is designed for easy reading and

is presented in chapter and paragraph style. The first chapter begins

with the birth of Jesus rather than the geneological listing which can

easily be found at the beginning of other editions.

edited by Lightheart

PracticeGodsPresence.com

The birth of Jesus Christ was thus: When Mary, His mother, was espoused

to Joseph, and before they came together, she was found with child of

the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just man, not willing to make her a public

example, decided to put her away privately. But while he thought about

these things an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

Joseph, thou son of David, do not fear to take Mary as thy wife. The

one who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bring

forth a son and thou shall call Him Jesus. He will save His people from

their sins.

All this was done so that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet

might be fulfilled: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall

bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.

Then Joseph awoke and did as the angel of the Lord told him and took

unto him his wife. He knew her not until she brought forth her

firstborn son, Jesus.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of King Herod,

wise men from the east went to Jerusalem. They said, Where is He that

is born King of the Jews for we have seen His star in the east and go

to worship Him. When Herod heard these things, he was troubled as was

all Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes

together and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, In

Bethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem,

in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out of

thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people.

Herod called the wise men to enquire about the time the star would

appear. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently

for the young child. When ye have found Him bring me word that I may

come and worship Him also. After they met with the king they departed;

and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them until it

stood over the young child.

When they saw the star they rejoiced. The wise men came to the place

and saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down and

worshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and frankincense

and myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that they should

not return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another

way.

After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in

a dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and

flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek

the young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and His

mother, by night, and departed into Egypt. There they remained until

the death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was spoken

of the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Herod realized he was mocked by the wise men and was exceedingly

wrathful. He ordered that all the children that were in Bethlehem and

in all the coasts two years old and under be slayed. This was based on

what he was told by the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremy

the prophet was fulfilled: In Rama there was heard the sound of

lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping for her

children and would not be comforted because they are no longer.

When Herod died an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in

Egypt. The angel said, Arise and take the young child and His mother

and go into the land of Israel. They are now dead who sought the young

child's life. Joseph took the young child and His mother and started

toward Israel. Along the way Joseph heard that Archelaus reigned in

Judaea in the place of his father, Herod. Joseph was afraid to go

there. Despite being warned by God in a dream, he turned toward

Galilee. He came to dwell in a city called Nazareth that it might be

fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a

Nazarene.

In those days John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judaea. He

message was, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John is the

one that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias: The voice of one crying

in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His paths

straight.

The same John wore camel's hair and a leathern girdle around his loins.

His food was locusts and wild honey. He went out to Jerusalem. all

Judaea, and all the region round Jordan. Many people were baptized by

him and confessed their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his

baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to

flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits fit for repentance. Do

not say, We have Abraham for our father, because I say to you, God is

able to raise up children to Abraham with these stones. The axe is now

laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth

good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance but He that comes after me is

mightier than I. His shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize

you with the Holy Ghost and with the fire whose fan is in His hand. He

will throughly purge His floor and gather His wheat into the garner. He

will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

When Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by him, John

forbad Him. He said, Why come to me? I should be baptized by thee.

Jesus answered, For now, suffer it to be so because it becomes us to

fulfill all righteousness.

When Jesus was baptized He came up out of the water and the heavens

opened to Him. John saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and light

upon Him. A voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am

well pleased.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by

the devil. After He fasted forty days and forty nights He was hungry.

The tempter came to Him and said, If thou be the Son of God, command

that these stones be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written, Man

shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of

the mouth of God. The devil then took Him up into the holy city and sat

Him on a pinnacle of the temple. He said, If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge

concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any

time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus countered Him saying, It

is also written, Thou shalt not test the Lord thy God.

Next, the devil took Him up into an exceedingly high mountain. He

showed Him the kingdoms of the world in all their glory. He said, All

these things I will give thee if thou will bow down and worship me.

Then Jesus said, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt

worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil

left Him. And, behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

When Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into

Galilee. And, leaving Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum on the sea coast,

in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. This He did so that what was

spoken by Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled: In the land of

Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim by the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee

of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light. And

to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.

From this time forward Jesus began His teaching of repentance because

the kingdom of God is at hand.

As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon, called Peter, and

Andrew, his brother. They were fishers and were casting a net into the

sea. He said to them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

They left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, Jesus saw two other brethren, James, the son of

Zebedee, and John. They were in a boat, mending their nets, with

Zebedee, their father. Jesus called them and they immediately left the

boat and their father and followed Him. Then Jesus went all about

Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the

kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the

people.

His fame spread throughout all Syria. They brought to Him sick people

who were taken with diverse diseases, torments, and those who were

possessed with devils. They brought those who were lunatic, and those

who had palsy. He healed them. Great multitudes of people from Galilee,

and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from

beyond Jordan followed Him.

Seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and sat. His

disciples came and He taught them: Blessed are the poor in spirit for

theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they

shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the

earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for

they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the

pure of heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for

they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are

persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye when men revile and persecute you, and say all manner of

evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.

Great is your reward in heaven. And, likewise, they persecuted the

prophets who were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses its savour it is good

for nothing except to be cast out and walked on. Ye are the light of

the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. A candle is

not lighted to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick. This way it

gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men

that they see your good works reflecting only your Father in heaven.

Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the words of the

prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say,

Until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall pass

from the law until all is fulfilled. Whoever breaks one of these least

commandments, and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the

least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever shall keep these least

commandments and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of

heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the

scribes and Pharisees, there is no way ye shall enter the kingdom of

heaven.

Ye have heard it was said of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whoever

shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you,

Whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.

Whoever shows contempt toward his brother shall be in danger of the

council. But whosoever curses his brother is in danger of hell fire.

So, if thou bring a gift to the altar and then remember that thy

brother has something against thee, leave the gift before the altar. Be

reconciled to thy brother first. Then come back and offer thy gift.

Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art with him; lest, at

any time, thy adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge

deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say

unto thee, Thou shalt not come out then until all is paid.

Ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

But I say, Whoever looks on a woman in lust has already committed

adultery in his heart. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and

cast it away. It is more profitable for thee that one of thy members

should perish rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy

right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. It is more

profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish rather than

thy whole body be cast into hell.

It has been said, Whoever puts away his wife shall give her a writing

of divorcement. But I say, Whoever puts away his wife, except for

reason of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever

marries her that is divorced commits adultery.

Also, ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not forswear

thyself but perform your oaths unto the Lord. But I say, take no oaths

at all. Do not swear by heaven because it is God's throne. Do not swear

by the earth because it is His footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem for

it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by thy self because you

are incapable of making even one hair white or black. Let your

statement be only Yea, yes; Nay, no: for anything more than this comes

to evil.

Ye have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I

say, Do not resist evil. Whoever strikes thee on thy right cheek, turn

the other to him also. And, if any one lawfully sues thee and takes

away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Whoever compels thee to go

a mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of thee. From him who

would borrow of thee, do not turn away.

Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine

enemy. But I say, Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. Do good

to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute

you.

Do this that ye may be the children of your Father in heaven. He makes

His sun rise on the evil and on the good. He sends rain on the just and

on the unjust. If ye love only those who love you, what reward have ye?

Do not even the publicans do this? And if ye greet your friends only,

what do ye do more than others? Do not even the publicans do this?

Instead be ye as perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Take heed that ye do not do your almsgiving to be seen by others. If

so, ye have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give, do not

sound a trumpet in the synagogues and in the streets as do the

hypocrites. They seek the glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, They

have their reward.

When you give alms, do not let thy left hand know what thy right does.

Give alms in secret and thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward

thee openly.

When thou pray, thou shalt not be like the hypocrites. They love to

pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so

they may be seen. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.

When thou pray, enter into thy closet. When thou has shut thy door,

pray to thy Father in secret. Thy Father, who sees in secret, shall

reward thee openly.

When ye pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen. They think

that they shall be heard for their long speaking. Be not like them.

Your Father knows what things ye need even before ye ask Him.

Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us

this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our

debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For

Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

If ye forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also

forgive you. But if ye do not forgive others their trespasses, neither

will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be

not as the hypocrites. They disfigure their faces and look sad so they

may appear to others to fast. Verily, I say unto you, They have their

reward.

However, when thou fast, anoint thy head and wash thy face so that thou

not appear to fast. Keep secret except unto thy Father, who is in

secret, and thy Father shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust

corrupts, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, lay up

treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, nor thieves

can break in and steal. For, where your treasure is, there, also, will

be your heart.

The light of the body is the eye. If thine eye be single, thy whole

body shall be full of light. But, if thine eye be evil, thy whole body

shall be full of darkness. And, if the light that is in thee becomes

darkness, how much greater will be that darkness!

No man can serve two masters. He will either hate the one and love the

other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot

serve God and mammon. Therefore, I say unto you, Take no concern for

your life: what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink; nor for your body:

what ye shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than

raiment? Behold the fowls of the air. They sow not, and neither do

they reap nor gather into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are ye not worth as much as they are? And, who of you, by worrying, can

add one cubit to his stature? So why take thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They toil not and

neither do they spin. Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed

like one of them. So, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which

today is here and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not clothe

you even more, O ye of little faith?

So, take no concern by saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we

drink? or, How shall we be clothed? Your heavenly Father knows that ye

need all these things. Instead, seek ye first the kingdom of God and

His righteousness. Then all these things shall be added unto you. Take

no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of itself.

The cares of today are sufficient for today.

Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye

shall be judged. And with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to

you again.

Why behold the mote in thy brother's eye, but not consider the beam in

thine own eye? How can you say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out

of thine eye when, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite.

First, cast out the beam from thine own eye, then thou shall see

clearly enough to cast the mote from thy brother's eye.

Do not give that which is holy to dogs. And do not cast your pearls

before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn around

and rend you.

Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it

shall be opened to you. Who of you is there who, if his son asks for

bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him

a serpent? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your

children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to

those who ask Him? Therefore, all things ye would have others do to

you, do so to them. This is the law and the meaning of the prophets.

Enter in at the strait gate. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that

leads to destruction. Many go in that way. Because the gate is strait

and the way that leads to life is narrow, there are few who find it.

Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but are

inwardly ravenous wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men

gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? No, every good tree

brings forth good fruit. A corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good

tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth

good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn

down and cast into the fire. So, by their fruits ye shall know them.

Now, not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the

kingdom of heaven. Only he who does the will of my Father in heaven

shall enter. Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in

thy name? In thy name have we not cast out devils? And, in thy name,

have we not done many wonderful works? Then will I say to them, I never

knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Whoever hears these sayings and does them, I liken to a wise man who

built his house upon a rock. When the rain descended, and the floods

came, and the winds blew and beat upon the house, it did not fall

because it was founded upon a rock.

Whoever hears these sayings and does not do them I liken to a foolish

man who built his house upon the sand. When the rain descended, and the

floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, it fell. And

a great fall it was.

When Jesus finished these sayings, people were astonished at His

doctrine because He taught as one having authority different from the

scribes.

When He came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.

And, behold, there came a leper who worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if

Thou will, Thou can make me clean. Jesus put out His hand, touched him,

and said, Be thou clean. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then

Jesus said to him, See that thou tell no man. Go thy way, show thyself

to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony.

Then, when Jesus was in Capernaum, a centurion beseeched Him saying,

Lord, my servant lies at home sick with palsy and grievously tormented.

Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered,

Lord, I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof, but only

give the word and my servant shall be healed. I am a man of authority,

understand commands, and have soldiers under me. I command this man,

Go, and he goes. To another I say, Come, and he comes. I direct my

servant to do this, and he does it.

When Jesus heard this, He marvelled and said to those who followed,

Verily, I say unto you, I have not found such great faith anywhere, no,

not even in Israel. And I say to you, Many shall come from the east and

west and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the

kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out

into darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said

to the centurion, Go thy way. As thou has believed, so be it done unto

thee. And the servant was healed that same hour.

When Jesus went to Peter's house, He saw Peter's wife's mother laid

sick with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her. She

arose and ministered to them. That evening they brought to Him many

that were possessed with devils and He cast out the spirits with His

word. He healed all who were sick so that it might be fulfilled what

was spoken by Esaias the prophet: He took our infirmities and bore our

sicknesses.

Jesus saw great multitudes gathering. He decided they should depart to

the other side of the water. A scribe approached Him and said, Master,

I will follow wherever thou go. Jesus only replied, The foxes have

holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no

place to lay His head. Another came to Him and said, Lord, let me first

go and bury my father. But Jesus replied, Follow me and let the dead

bury their dead. Then they got in a boat and started for the other

side.

Behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea. It was so great that

the boat was covered with the waves. Jesus was asleep. His disciples

woke Him and said, Lord, save us. We will perish. Jesus replied, Why

are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the

winds and the sea. There was a great calm. The disciples marvelled and

said, What kind of man is this who even the winds and the sea obey!

On the other side they came into the country of the Gergesenes. There

He met two men coming out of the tombs who were possessed with devils

so fierce that no man dared pass them. They cried out, What have we to

do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come here to torment us

before the time?

At a distance from them was a herd of swine. The devils said to Him, If

thou cast us out, suffer us to go into the herd of swine. Jesus said to

them, Go. When they came out of the men, they went into the herd of

swine. Behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place

into the sea and perished in the waters. The herders who kept them fled

into the city and told everything including what happened to those

possessed by the devils. Then the whole city came out to see Jesus and,

when they saw Him, they besought Him to depart from their coasts.

He took a boat to His own city. There they brought to Him a man with

palsy who was lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the

sick man; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.

Behold, certain of the scribes said, This man blasphemes. And, Jesus

knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Is

it easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee or Arise and walk? So ye

may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then

He said to the sick man) Arise, take up thy bed and go to thy house.

The man did get up and went to his house. When the multitude saw it,

they marvelled and glorified God who had given such power.

When Jesus left there He saw a man sitting at the receipt of custom. He

said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him. As Jesus sat at

dinner, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His

disciples. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, Why

does your master eat with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this,

He said, Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are

sick do. Go and learn what that means. I will have mercy and not

revenge because I have not come to call the righteous, but to call

sinners to repentance.

Then John's disciples came to Him and asked, Why do we and the

Pharisees often fast, but thy disciples do not fast? Jesus said to

them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the

bridegroom is with them? The day will come when the bridegroom will be

taken from them and then they will fast.

No man uses a piece of new cloth to patch an old garment for that which

is put in to cover the space takes from the garment and the rent is

worse than before. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else

the bottles break, the wine runs out and the bottles perish. They put

new wine into new bottles and both are preserved. While He spoke these

things there came a certain ruler who worshipped Him and said, My

daughter is almost now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her and she

shall live. Jesus arose and followed him, and His disciples came along

also.

On the way, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood for twelve

years came up behind Him. She touched the hem of His garment because

she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment I shall be

healed. Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be

of good comfort; thy faith has made thee whole. The woman was healed

from that hour.

Finally, when Jesus arrived at the ruler's house, He saw many mourners.

He said to them, Stand aside. The maid is not dead but sleeps. They

laughed Him to scorn. But when the people moved aside, He went in, took

her by the hand, and she arose. This news spread abroad into all that

land.

When Jesus left there, two blind men followed Him. They cried, Thou son

of David, have mercy on us. When He entered a house, the blind men came

to Him. Jesus said to them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They

said to Him, Yea, Lord. Then He touched their eyes and said, According

to your faith be it done unto you. Their eyes were opened. Then Jesus

charged them to make sure that no man knew of this. But, after they

departed, they spread His fame all around that country.

As they were leaving that place a mute man possessed with a devil was

brought to Jesus. When the devil was cast out, the man could then

speak. The multitude marvelled and said nothing like it was ever before

seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casts out devils through the

prince of the devils.

Jesus went to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues

and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He healed every kind of

sickness and disease among the people. But when He saw the crowds, He

was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were

scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray to the

Lord so He will send forth laborers to His harvest.

Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power to cast

out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. The

names of the twelve apostles are these; Simon, who is called Peter,

Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee, John his brother;

Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; the publican; James the son of Alphaeus;

Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas

Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them: Go not into the way

of the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the

lost sheep of the house of Israel. As ye go, preach that the kingdom of

heaven is at hand. Heal the sick. Cleanse the lepers. Raise the dead.

Cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give.

Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Take no scrip

for your journey. Neither take two coats, nor shoes, nor staves because

the workman is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or town ye enter,

enquire who in it is worthy. Abide there until ye go on. When ye come

into a house, salute it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come

upon it. If it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever

shall not receive you or hear your words, when ye leave that house or

city, shake the dust from your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be

more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of

judgment than for that city.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be wise as

serpents and harmless as doves. Beware of men. They will deliver you up

to the councils. They will scourge you in their synagogues. Ye shall be

brought before governors and kings for a testimony against them and the

Gentiles because of me. But when they deliver you up, do not worry how

or what ye shall speak. It will be given you at the time ye speak

because it is not ye that will speak, but the Spirit of your Father

which speaks through you.

Also be aware that a brother shall deliver up a brother to death, and a

father the child. Children shall rise up against their parents and

cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated of all men for my

name's sake. But he that endures to the end shall be saved. When they

persecute you in one city, flee to another.

Verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone to all the cities of

Israel before the Son comes. The disciple is not above his master, nor

the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as

his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master

of the house, Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of God's

household?

Fear them not. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and

nothing hid that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, speak

ye in light. And what ye hear in the ear, preach that upon the

housetops. Fear not those who kill the body but are not able to kill

the soul. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body

in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Yet not one of them falls to

the ground without your Father knowing. The very hairs of your head are

all numbered by Him. Fear not because ye are of more value than many

sparrows. Whoever confesses me before men, I will confess him before my

Father in heaven. Whoever denies me before men, I will deny him before

my Father in heaven.

Think not that I came to earth to send peace. I came not to send peace,

but a sword. My coming will set a man against his father, and a

daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her

mother-in-law. A man's foes shall be those of his own household.

He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He

that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he

that does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me.

He that finds his life shall lose it. He that loses his life for my

sake shall find it. He that receives you receives me, and he that

receives me receives Him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in

the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. He that

receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a

righteous man's reward. And whoever shall give to one of the little

ones a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, he shall

never lose his reward.

When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples, He departed to

teach and preach in their cities. When John, who was in prison, heard

of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. They asked Jesus,

Art thou He that should come or do we look for another? Jesus answered,

Go and show John those things which ye hear and see. The blind receive

their sight. The lame walk. The lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear. The

dead are raised up. And the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Blessed is he, who shall not be offended in me.

As they departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds concerning John saying,

What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the

wind? What went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold,

they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What went ye out to

see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and he is more than a prophet.

This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before

thy face who shall prepare the way before thee.

Verily I say unto you, Among those born of woman there has not risen

one greater than John the Baptist who would make himself least in the

kingdom of heaven. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the

kingdom of heaven suffered violence and the violent took it by force.

All the prophets and the law prophesied of John. If ye will receive it,

this is Elias, who was to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

But how shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in

the markets and calling unto their fellows saying, We have piped to you

and ye have not danced. We have mourned you and ye have not lamented.

John came neither eating nor drinking and they say he had a devil. The

Son of man came eating and drinking and they say he is a gluttonous

man, a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom shall

be justified of her children.

Then He began to upbraid the cities where most of His mighty works were

done because they did not repent. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto

thee, Bethsaida! If the mighty works which were done in you had been

done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth

and ashes. But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and

Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And Capernaum, exalted unto

heaven, shall be brought down to hell. If the mighty works which have

been done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have remained

until this day. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the

land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.

Then Jesus prayed aloud: I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and

earth, because thou has hid these things from the wise and prudent and

revealed them to babes. It is so, Father, for it seemed good in thy

sight.

All things are delivered to me by my Father. No man knows the Son but

the Father. Neither knows any man the Father except the Son. He is

revealed to whomever the Son will reveal Him.

Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you

rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me. I am meek and lowly in heart.

Ye shall find rest for your souls because my yoke is easy and my burden

is light.

It was a sabbath day when Jesus and His disciples passed through a

cornfield. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears of corn to

eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to Jesus, Behold, thy

disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath day. But

Jesus answered them, Have ye not read what David did when he was

hungry? He and those who were with him entered into the house of God

and ate the showbread. This was not lawful for him to eat, nor for

those with him because the bread was only for the priests.

And, have ye not read in the law how on the sabbath days the priests in

the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless? But I say unto you,

Here is one greater than the temple. If ye knew what this meant, ye

would not have condemned the guiltless because the Son of man is Lord

even of the sabbath day.

When Jesus went into the synagogue He was met by a man who had a

withered hand. So that they might accuse Jesus, the Pharisees asked

Him, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Jesus replied, What man

is there among you who has one sheep and, if it falls into a pit on the

sabbath day, will not lay hold on it and lift it out? How much more is

a man worth than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the

sabbath day. Jesus turned to the man and said, Stretch forth thine

hand. The man stretched it forth and it was restored, whole and like

his other hand.

Then the Pharisees left and held a council about how they might destroy

Jesus. But when Jesus knew this, He departed from there. Great

multitudes followed Him and He healed them all. He charged them that

they should not make Him known. This was done to fulfill what was

spoken by Esaias the prophet: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my

beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my spirit upon Him

and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor

cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised

reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench till He

send forth judgment unto victory. And in His name the Gentiles shall

trust.

Then a blind and mute man who was possessed with a devil, was brought

to Him. Jesus healed him, and, to such an extent, that he both spoke

and saw. All the people were amazed and said, Is not this the son of

David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This one casts out

devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said, Every kingdom divided against

itself is brought to desolation. Every city or house divided against

itself shall not stand. If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against

himself. How, then, shall his kingdom stand?

If I, by Beelzebub, cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them

out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But, if I cast out devils by

the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. And, if

not, then how can someone enter into a strong man's house and spoil his

goods unless he first bind the strong man? Only then is he able to

spoil his house.

He that is not with me is against me. He that gathers not with me

scatters abroad. So I say to you, All manner of sin and blasphemy

against men shall be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Ghost

shall not be forgiven.

Whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven Him.

But whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven

Him; not in this world and not in the world to come. Either make the

tree good and its fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and its

fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? Out

of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the

good treasure of the heart, brings forth good things. An evil man, out

of the evil of the heart, brings forth evil things.

I say to you, For every idle word that a man speaks, he shall account

for it in the day of judgment. By thy words thou shall be justified and

by thy words thou shall be condemned.

Then, some of the scribes and Pharisees said, Master, we want to see a

sign from thee. But Jesus answered, An evil and adulterous generation

seeks after a sign. There shall be no sign given except the sign of the

prophet Jonas. Just as Jonas was three days and three nights in the

whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment of this generation and shall

condemn it. This is so because they repented at the preaching of Jonas.

Behold, one greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall

rise up in the judgment of this generation and shall condemn it. She

came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of

Solomon and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here.

When an unclean spirit has left a man, he wanders through dry places,

seeking rest, and finds none. Then the unclean spirit says, I will

return to the house from which I came. When he comes, he finds it

empty, swept, and garnished. Then he returns with seven other spirits

more wicked than himself. They go back into the man and dwell there.

Then the last state of that man is worse than the first. This is how it

shall be with this wicked generation.

While Jesus continued to talk to the people, His mother and His

brethren stood outside and requested to speak with Him. Someone

reported this to Him saying, Behold, thy mother and brethren are

outside and desire to speak with thee. But Jesus addressed the one that

told Him by saying, Who is my mother and who are my brethren? Then He

stretched forth His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, my

mother and my brethren! Whoever shall do the will of my Father in

heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.

That same day Jesus sat by the sea. Great multitudes gathered. He had

to get into a boat and sit while the whole multitude stood on the

shore. Then He taught them in parables.

Jesus said, Behold, a sower went forth to sow seed. When he sowed, some

seeds fell by the wayside and the birds came and devoured them. Some

fell upon stony places where there was not much earth. They sprang up

but they had no deep roots. So, when the sun was up, they were scorched

and withered away. Also, some of the seeds fell among thorns. The

thorns sprang up and choked them. Yet other seeds fell on good ground.

These brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some

thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The disciples asked Jesus, Why do you speak to them in parables? He

answered, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the

kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whoever has

understanding, more shall be given him and he shall have abundance. But

whoever does not have understanding, what little he has shall be taken

away from him. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because, not

seeing and not hearing, they do not understand.

Also, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias: By hearing ye shall

hear and shall not understand. And by seeing ye shall see and shall not

perceive. For the people's hearts are hardened. Their ears are dull of

hearing. They have closed their eyes. They do not see or hear for fear

they will be converted and have to change their hearts.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye

see and they have not seen them. They have desired to hear the things

which ye hear, and have not heard them. So, again, listen to the

parable of the sower.

When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it,

the wicked one snatches away all that was sown in his heart. This is

the one who received seed by the wayside. Now he that received the seed

in the stony places, received the word with joy. But he has no deep

root and endures only for a while. When tribulation or persecution

arises he is uprooted. Now the one that received seed among the thorns

hears the word but is too much ensnared by things of this world and the

deceitfulness of riches. The understanding of the word is choked out

and he becomes unfruitful. Finally, the one that received seed in the

good ground is he that hears the word, understands it, and bears fruit.

He brings forth a hundredfold or sixty or thirty.

He spoke another parable saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man

who sowed good seed in his field. But, during the night, his enemy came

and sowed weeds among the wheat then slipped away. When the blades

sprang up and brought forth fruit weeds appeared also. The

householder's servants came to him and asked, Sir, did thou not sow

good seed in the field? Where did the tares come from? The householder

answered, An enemy has done this. The servants then asked, Shall we go

and pull them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares,

ye shall uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the

harvest. Then, at harvest time, I will say to the reapers, First gather

together the weeds and bind them in bundles. These tares shall ye burn

up. Then the wheat is to go in the shelter.

Jesus told another parable, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of

mustard seed. A man sowed it in his field. Now this, indeed, is the

least of all seeds. However, when it is grown, it is the largest among

all the herbs. It grows like a tree so the birds of the air can come

and lodge in its branches.

Another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven. A woman took a

little, hid it in three measures of meal and, at last, all was

leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitude.

Thus it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: I will open

my mouth in parables. I will utter things which have been kept secret

from the foundation of the world.

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went inside. His disciples came

to Him and said, Explain to us the parable of the tares in the field.

Jesus answered and said, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man.

The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom.

The weeds are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them

is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the

angels. As the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it

be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His

angels. They shall clear out of His kingdom all that offends and does

iniquity and cast it into a furnace. There shall be wailing and

gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in

the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a

man discovers it, he buries it again. Then joyfully he goes and sells

all that he has to buy that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like

a merchant seeking good pearls. When he finds even one pearl of great

price, he goes and sells all he has to buy it.

And the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea to

gather every kind of fish. When it was full, they drew the net to

shore. The good they gathered into vessels. But they cast the bad away.

So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall come and sever

the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace where there

shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus asked, Have ye understood all these things? They said, Yea, Lord.

Then He said, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed about the

kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth out of his

treasure things both new and old.

Jesus went into His own country. He taught in the synagogue. The people

were astonished and said, Whence has He this wisdom and these mighty

works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is His mother not called Mary

and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Are His

sisters not here with us? Where did this man get all these things?

They were offended by Him. Jesus told them that a prophet is not

without honor except in His own country and in His own house. He did

not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

At that time Herod heard of the fame of Jesus. He said to his servants,

This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead and mighty works

show forth in him.

Herod had imprisoned John for the sake of Herodia, his brother Philip's

wife. He did this because John told Herod that it was not lawful for

Herod to have her. He would have immediately put John to death but

Herod feared the multitude, who counted John as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, Herodias' daughter danced and

greatly pleased Herod. He promised, with an oath, to give her whatever

she asked. Having previously been instructed by her mother, she said,

Give me John the Baptist's head on a charger. Herod was sorry. However,

for the oath's sake and those who sat at dinner with him, he commanded

it be given her. He had John beheaded in prison. Then his head was

brought on a charger, presented to her, and she brought it to her

mother. Then John's disciples came, took up the body, buried it, and

reported it to Jesus.